Wire fabric weaving machine



Oct. 6, 1936. s HARTER 2,056,851

WIRE FABRIC WEAVING MACHINE I Filed Aug. 25, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 6, 1936. N. s. HARTER WIRE FABRIC WEAVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 23, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet" 2 I (IA-Adm; W

Oct. 6, 1936. i 5 HARTER 2,056,851

WIRE FABRIC WEAVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lTi llllHllllllllllll il =3HIII mni'nnnunuim HHHHHHHHI HUN mwy Oct. '6, 1936. N. s. HARTER WIRE FABRIC WEAVING MACHINE F-led Aug. 23, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 3 E mm Oct. 6, 1936. N. s. HARTER I WIRE FA BRIC WEAVING MAC HINE Filed Afig. 25, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Get. 6, 1936 [TED STATES WIRE FABRIC WEAVING MACHINE Noah S. Harter, Waukegan, 111., assignor to Cyclone Fence Company, Waukegan, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 23, 1934, Serial No. 741,158

9 Claims.

The invention relates to automatic weaving machines for manufacturing wire screen fabric and has particular reference to improved apparatus for maintaining the warp wires at the proper tension.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for automatically feeding the warp wires to the machine in proportion to the amount of completed wire screen taken from said machine to thus maintain the warp wires under the proper tension necessary for the weaving operation.

Another object is to provide a movable supporting member for the warp wires which will have periodic movement to vary the tension on said wires to counteract the action of certain operations thereon, thereby maintaining the wires under substantially uniform tension during the weaving operation.

Another object is to provide mechanism that will operate upon the slightest variation in the tension of the warp wires to interrupt or reestablish the feeding of the warp wires to maintain the proper tension on said wires necessary for the weaving of perfect fabric. With these and various other objects in View, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a weaving machine embodying the features of the present in- Vention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the machine looking toward the side opposite that of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the weaving machine shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through the machine and showing the drive for various operating members of the machine.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings numerals l8 and H designate the side frames of a wire weaving machine having a plurality of feeding or let-off rollers l2 carried by shafts l3 journalled by the side frames at the rear of the machine for feeding a plurality of wires l4 forming the warp wires of the fabric. A gear 15 is secured to one end of each shaft l3 and operatively connects the shafts so that the rollers rotate in unison and at the same speed. Take-up rollers l6 carried by shafts H are journalled by the side frames at the forward end of the machine and receive the completed fabric I8 from the delivery roller 20. A gear 2| is secured to one end of each of 5 the shafts H to operatively connect the shafts so that these rollers are also driven in unison and at the same speed. Rotation of the take-up rollers I6 withdraws from the machine the completed fabric which travels under the machine and is subsequently wound upon a drum, not shown, located a distance from the rear.

Each of the side frames Ill and II provide a bearing 22 for pivotally supporting a member 23 forming the supports for the beater frame designated in its entirety by 24. The beater frame is oscillated back and forth in the direction of travel of the warp wires l4, being actuated by arms 25 pivoted to the respective sides of the frame at 26 and which arms pivotally connect at their opposite ends with a crank 21 and gear wheel 28, respectively. Said crank and gear are secured to the respective ends of a transverse shaft 30 journalled by the side frames. Shaft 30 is driven from the motor 3|, Figure 3, having pinion 32 secured to its rotor shaft and which meshes with gear 33 on the clutch shaft 34 journalled by side frame I I and bracket 35. To the outer end of this shaft is secured a hand wheel 36 and to the inner end is secured pinion 31 having meshing engagement 0 with gear 28. The shaft is provided with a clutch designated in its entirety by 38 and which is actuated by rod 40 extending to the front of the machine and connecting with handle 4|. Actuation of said handle will therefore operatively con- 35 nect transverse shaft 30 with the electric motor 3| to cause the desired operation of the beater frame 24.

Carried by the frame, as shown in Figure 4, are spaced lays 42 which position a plurality of reed dents 43 through which the warp wires extend. Also carried by the outwardly extending supports 44 fixed to the beater frame are the shuttle bars 45 which oscillate to carry the bobbin or weft wire across the beater frame, whereby the same is woven with the warp wires to form the completed fabric. The actuating mechanism for the shuttle bars, which is driven from transverse shaft 46 through a chain of gears, not shown, comprises a shaft 41 rotatably journalled in the spaced bracket members 48 supported from the frame members by transverse beams, Figure 5, and having crank arms 49 secured to the ends thereof. The gear racks 50 have one end pivotally connecting with the crank arms 49 and mesh with pinions shaft are secured spaced sprockets 53, each of which drive a chain 54, Figure 4, which meshes at its opposite end with sprocket 55 having arms 56. Each arm connects with a gear rack 51 extending transversely of the machine and meshing with pinion 58, actuating mechanism, not shown, and operatively connecting with the shuttle bars 45. Rotation of shaft 46 will cause reciprocation of gear racks 59 and partial rotation of shaft 52, first in one direction and then in the reverse direction. The rotations of this shaft are transmitted by chain 54 to arms 56 which in turn oscillate the gear racks 51 rotating the pinions 58 to in turn cause the desired actuation of the shuttle ars.

The warp wires from the feeding rollers I2 are directed over an adjustable roller 69 journalled in members BI pivoted at 62 to blocks 63 mounted within guides 64 formed in the side frames and vertically adjusted within said guides by rotation of the threaded screw 65. From roller 69 the wires pass over and under the spaced transverse bars 66 supported by uprights 61. Between the bars 66 and the beater frame the warp wires alternately connect with heddles 68 located in frames I9 supported for vertical reciprocating movement by members II, Figure 2, secured to the respective side frames. The heddle frames are carried from the portion I2, connecting the side frames, by means of chains I3 which mesh with sprockets 14 secured to shaft 15 journalled by said portion. The heddle frames are located adjacent each other and each operatively connect through chain 13 with shaft 15. As one heddle frame descends the connection through chain I3 will cause the other frame to ascend and vice versa. The frames are vertically reciprocated by the rods I6 which connect at their upper end with the heddle frames, as shown in Figure 1, and at their lower end with levers 11 supported at I8 for pivotal movement and which are actuated by cams I9 secured to transverse shaft 89 driven from shaft 46, by gears not shown.

The feed rollers I2 are driven through means which will now be described to cause feeding of the warp wires to the machine in proportion to the amount of completed fabric removed from the machine by the rotation of the front rollers I6. Secured to the lower of the rear shafts I3 carrying the feeding rollers isa gear 8| meshing with worm gear 83 journalled in supports 84 integral with side frame I9. Gear 83 carries pinion 85 meshing with pinion 86 secured to the end of the connecting rod 81 supported for rotation from side frame I9. Secured to one of the shafts I7, carrying the front rollers I6, is a gear 88 meshing with worm gear 89 on shaft 99 suitably journalled by the side frame and carrying gear 9|. with gear 9 I. tion by coil spring 94, connects gear 92 with operating rod 81 and completes the drive from the front rollers to the feed rollers at the rear of the machine.

The shaft journalled in side frame I9 and bracket 96, Figure 3, has the gear 91 secured to the outer end thereof and pinion 98 secured to its inner end. Said pinion meshes with gear 99 secured to the right hand end of transverse shaft 46 which is driven from shaft 39 through idler I99 having meshing engagement with gear 99 Gear 92 is rotatable on rod 81 and meshes A clutch 93, held in operative posidrives shaft I92 as the same has meshing engagement with gear I93 secured thereto. Said shaft is jour nalled in bracket I94 and side frame I 9 and carries bevel pinion I95 meshing with bevel pinion I96 on shaft I91, which operatively connects with shaft 99 to drive the front rollers and rod 81 to drive the feed rollers. The rollers are therefore driven through the gearing described to cause travel of the completed fabric over the rollers and removal of the same from the. machine.

The invention provides improved mechanism for interrupting the drive to the rollers in timed relation to the operations of the machine and particularly the beater frame since the fabric must be removed from weaving machines of the present type at intervals and in equal amounts to secure the proper spacing of the weft wires. The structure comprises a cam I96 secured to gear 91 and rotated by shaft 95 and which cam carries a portion I99 provided with a cam surface and adjustable with respect to cam I98. The cam has engagement with arm II9 pivoted to bracket I94 and held in contact with the cam by the resilient means II I and which is connected by means of rod II2 with the operating lever II3 of clutch II4 on shaft I91. As a result of the rotation of cam I98 arm H9 is rocked back and forth,

As the coil spring 94 yieldingly maintains clutch 93 in engagement to connect the operating shaft 81 with gear 92 it will be understood that the feed rollers I2 can have rotation in amounts equal to that of the front rollers IS. The feeding of the warp wires under these conditions is therefore in proportion to the amount of completed fabric removed from the machine, and should theoretically result in maintaining the wires passing through the machine under substantially uniform tension. However, the

tension varies to a considerable extent due to the weaving operations on the wire and to other inaccuracies inherent in the operation and design of the machine. In this connection the invention provides means sensitive to slight variations in the tension of the warp wires for. automatically interrupting and reestablishing the drive to the-rear feed rollers which are driven intermittently in synchronism with the front rollers so that the feeding of the warp wires occurs as demanded by the tension of said wires.

Clutch 93 is provided with an actuating lever |I5 secured to rotatable rod IIB, Figure 5, having lever II'I located to the inside of frame I9. Rotation of lever I I! in a clockwise direction will actuate the clutch 93 against tension of spring 94 to release the clutch, disconnecting rod 81 from gear 92. Formed integral with one of the supporting members SI for the oscillating roller 69 is an arm II8 having an extension flange supporting an upright II9. On the respective sides of arm I I8 to the inner end thereof are pivoted levers I29 journalling at their outer end a roller I2I. One lever carries a pivoted bell crank I 22.

Upright II9 receives a coil spring I23 which is confined between the levers and the upper securing nut I24. Pivotal movement of the levers 75 I20 with respect to arm IIB can only take place against the tension of spring I23, or, in other words, said coil spring tends to maintain the levers and arm in parallel relation and prevents their separation by pivotal movement. The levers I20 are oscillated as roller I2I contacts cam I25 secured to shaft 30. The rocking movements of the lever are transmitted to roller 50 over which the warp wires pass. This movement of the roller is, however, in a direction substantially parallel to the travel of the warp wires, with the result that movement of the roller in one direction will have the effect of increasing the tension on said wires, while movement in the opposite direction will have the effect of decreasing said tension. These operations occur in synchronism with the movements of the heddle frames which connect with alternate warp wires, causing separation of the same vertically to-permit passage through the warp shed of the shuttle bars carrying the bobbin. As the wires are caused to separate roller 60 is rocked counter-clockwise to relieve the tension on said wires and as the frames approach their median position prior to separation in the opposite direction the roller is rocked clockwise to increase the tension on the wires. The combined result is to maintain a substantially uniform tension on the warp wires.

In the event the tension on the wires should decrease to below a set limit the levers I20 will assume a parallel relation with arm H8 rotating the bell crank I 22 counter-clockwise as one leg of said crank rests on flange I26 secured to the arm. This movement of the bell crank is imparted to rod I21 secured to the other leg of the bell crank and pivotally connected at its opposite end to lever II'I. It will be noted that rotation of the bell crank and corresponding actuation of rod I2'I is in a direction to release the clutch 93, interrupting the drive to the feed rollers. As removal of the completed fabric from the machine continues the tension on the warp wires will immediately increase and as roller 60 is again rotated clockwise levers I20 and arm IIB will separate, resulting in a scissors action to allow crank arm I22 to assume its former position, again establishing the drive to the feed rollers. From the foregoing it will be clear that the scissors action of levers I20 and arm H8 is responsive to variations in the tension of the warp wires and which is immediately and automatically taken care of by the actuation of clutch 93 to interrupt or reestablish the drive to the feed roller. The operations are extremely sensitive to the slightest variation in the tension of the warp wires so that the actuation ofthe clutch. 93 is for a moment only and the interruption of the drive to the feed rollers lasts for only a fraction of the interval during which the front rollers are rotated. Adjustment of the tension of the warp wires is provided for by the coil spring I23 which controls the scissors action of the levers and arm. The lever I28 provides for manual actuation of the clutch 93 which can be used for initially starting the machine to secure that tension on the warp wires needed for weaving perfect fabric or for correction of the tension during operation. Another provision for manually actuating the feed rollers comprises shaft I30 extending forwardly of the machine and secured to gear 92. By applying a crank to said shaft, rod 81 can be rotated to feed warp wires to the machine or to reverse their travel and back feed the fabric into the machine.

I claim:

1. In a machine for weaving wire fabric, in combination, rollers for feeding the warp wires to said machine, take-up rollers forremoving the completed fabric, vertically reciprocating heddles engaging with the wires between said rollers and alternating the position of said wires to form the warp shed, a guide roller contacting the warp wires in advance of said heddles, means pivotally supporting said roller for oscillating movement to counter-act the actions of the weaving operations, an arm extending from said supporting means, a lever pivoted to said arm and resiliently connected thereto at its end to prevent separation of the arm and lever, and cam means contacting the end of said lever to yieldingly rock the guide roller.

2. In a machine for weaving wire fabric, rollers for feeding the Warp wires to said machine,

- take-up rollers for removing the completed fabric, a guide roller engaging the warp wires as they leave the feeding rollers, means pivotally supporting said roller for oscillating movement in a direction substantially parallel to the travel of the warp wires, members pivoted to the supporting means and engaging a rotating cam causing actuation thereof, and resilient means connecting the members to the supporting means to prevent relative movement of the same whereby actuation of the members is yieldingly transmitted to cause oscillating movement of the roller, said movement of the roller occurring in timed relation with other operations of the weaving machine and maintaining a substantially uniform tension on the warp wires.

3. In a machine for weaving wire fabric, rollers for feeding the warp wires to said machine, take-up rollers for removing the completed fabric, a guide roller engaging the warp wires as they leave the feeding rollers, means pivotally supporting said roller for oscillating movement in a direction substantially parallel to the travel of the warp wires, an arm extending from said supporting means, levers pivoted to said arm and engaging a rotating cam, and a coil spring connecting the levers and arm preventing relative movement whereby the actuation of the levers by said cam is yieldingly imparted to the roller causing oscillating movement of the same,

said movement of the roller occurring in timed relation with other operations of the weaving machine and maintaining a substantially uniform tension on the warp wires.

4. In a machine for weaving wire fabric, in combination, rollers for feeding warp wires to said machine, take-up rollers for removing the completed fabric, vertically reciprocating heddles engaging the wires between said rollers and alternating their position to form the warp shed, a guide roller contacting the warp wires in advance of said heddles and as they leave the feeding rollers, means supporting said roller for pivotal movement to increase or decrease the tension on the warp wires to counter-act the action of the reciprocating heddles, thereby maintaining a substantially uniform tension on the wires, an arm extending from the supporting means for the roller and providing means for oscillating the same, said arm being resiliently actuated by cam means rotating in synchronism with the weaving operation, and means having association with said arm for controlling the extent of rotation of the feeding rollers.

5. In a machine for weaving wire fabric, rollmeans driving the take-up rollers intermittently to remove the fabric at intervals, a pivotally supported guide roller engaging the warp wires as they leave the feed rollers and having rocking movement to counter-act the action of the weaving operations, thereby maintaining a substantially uniform tension on the wires, means resiliently oscillating said roller in timed relation with the weaving operations, and control means associated with said resiliently oscillating means for controlling the drive to the feeding rollers to vary the extent of rotation imparted to the feeding rollers.

6. In a machine'for weaving wire fabric, in combination, rollers for feeding warpwires to said machine, take-up rollers for removing the completed fabric, a guide roller over which the Wires pass after they leave the feeding rollers, means supporting the guide roller for oscillating movement to counter-act the actions of the weaving operations, thereby maintaining a substantially uniform tension on the warp wires, an arm extending from the supporting means for the roller, members pivoted to the arm and having actuation to impart oscillating movement to said guide roller, resilient means holding the arm and members against relative movement whereby the roller is yieldingly oscillated, and means responsive to the extent of relative movement between the arm and members for controlling the drive to the feed rollers to vary the extent of rotation imparted to said feed rollers.

'7. In a wire weaving machine, in combination, rollers for feeding warp wires to the machine, take-up rollers for removing the completed wire fabric, an intermittent drive for the takeup rollers whereby they remove the completed fabric at intervals, means including a clutch for driving the feeding rollers from the take-up rollers, a guide roller supported for oscillating movement and contacting the warp wires as they leave the feeding rollers, means oscillating said guide roller through members resiliently held against relative movement, and means responsive to the tension of the warp wires as transmitted through the members for effecting actuation of the clutch thereby controlling the drive to the feeding rollers.

8. In a wire weaving machine, in combination, rollers for feeding warp wires to the machine, take-up rollers for removing the completed wire fabric, an intermittent drive for the take-up rollers whereby they remove the completed fabric at intervals, means including a clutch for driving the feeding rollers from the take-up rollers, a guide roller supported for pivotal movement and contacting the warp wires as they leave the feeding rollers, means yieldingly rocking the guide roller to counter-act the operations of the weaving machine, thereby maintaining a substantially uniform tension on the wires, and a connection from said means to said clutch, said connection effecting actuation of said clutch to control the drive to the feeding rollers in' response to tension of the warp wires.

9. In a wire Weaving machine, in combination, rollers for feeding warp wires to the machine, take-up rollers for removing the completed wire fabric, an intermittent drive for the take-up rollers whereby they remove the completed fabric at intervals, means including a clutch for driving the feeding rollers from the take-up rollers, a guide roller supported for pivotal movement and contacting the warp wires, as they leave the feeding rollers, means yieldingly rocking the guide roller to counter-act the operations of the weaving machine, thereby maintaining a substantially uniform tension on the wires, said means including pivoted members yieldingly held against relative movement, and a connection from said means to said clutch having actuation upon relative movement of the members to thereby control the drive to the feeding rollers.

NOAH S. HARTER. 

